Whether you’re having an intimate do or a huge black-tie, ballroom wedding everyone has a budget to consider and you mightn’t realise just how much it will impact on your guest list until you begin your wedding plans. Of course you’d invite everyone you possibly could if the budget would allow but when reality sets in, how do you decide? Are they in or out?!
To make the process as easy as possible we’ve come up with five ideas that will help you easily create your perfect guest list.
1. Go big and then work backwards.
You may find it useful to create a fantasy guest list of everyone you could possibly invite and then work backwards removing people here and there until you are down to your perfect number of guests. You could keep those people in a reserve list for occasions when you either find more space, budget or your final list aren’t able to attend.
2. Remember your venue’s occupancy.
If you have your heart set on a quaint venue with a small max number think about which is more important, having all those guests at your Big Day or opting for smaller numbers in your dream venue. On the flip-side if you’ve chosen a large venue ask if it’s possible to have the ballroom divided off if your guest numbers are a lot smaller than occupancy.
3. Consider who is paying for the day.
Traditionally the brides parents would foot the bill but these days it’s more likely you are paying for the majority of the day with both sets of parents paying for parts of the day. If you find yourself getting into sticky situations over who needs to be invited, remember who is paying for the day and above all, it’s your day and you get final say in who shares the celebration with you!
4. Think about an adult only wedding.
We completely love little guests but if numbers and your budget are being stretched you may decide not to invite children to the day. Sure, it mightn’t be to everyones approval but if they are close friends or family they will understand. Remember to be careful how to address your invites so that no-one gets confused over who is invited.
5. Leave any feelings of guilt at the door.
Your Big Day is just that YOUR day, it’s not your job to invite everyone you’ve ever met just for the sake of it! Remember it’s the people who are in your life now that you should share your day with, not your once upon a time babysitter and her husband! If you aren’t in their life, or at least speak to them at certain times in your life there’s really no point in them being at the biggest day of your life!
(Image: Mark Doyle Photography)
